Meet Dr. Gwendolyn Matthews of Open Door Family Worship Center in Mission Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Gwendolyn Matthews.

Dr. Matthews, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I came from a home that was loving and musically gifted, filled with music and singing and at other times this very same home could be a place of domestic violence. I saw how the effects of alcoholic turned my once loving father into a man of rage and erratic behavior, which lead him to be absent in the home. This environment left me with a deep and lasting impact on my young life. It made growing up more challenging. Being a gifted singer and loving the theatre, this created an outlet for me, not realizing that this was God’s unique approach of using music and theatre to shatter boundaries and to draw the people back to Him through my gift. This style of allowed me to share openly and practically about my experiences, so others can discover the freedom to live victoriously by applying God’s Word to their life.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Acceptance as a women Pastor has not been smooth. I realized that The Gospel needs the voice and active ministry of women as well as men, but the ideology of our society brings additional challenges due to gender. We live in a society where most pastors are men and most women are in the pews. As a woman Pastor, I knew of the challenges women leaders face. People hold many conflicting views on women in leadership and this can make acceptance difficult.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Open Door Family Worship Center – what should we know?
Our mission is to see the world come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and the deliverance and freedom that is found in a relationship with God. We want to do our part in this earth and through ministry to bring truth, transformation and wholeness. We want to see families and relationships restored, hearts healed, souls saved.

What sets up apart – We live life and we want those to know that Jesus came to give us life and more abundantly and show the way and how. We want you to know the truth about yourself and that it is so wonderful. If you hold on to this truth, no devil in hell can stop you from experiencing God’s best for your life

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Staying true to what God has called you to be.

Contact Info:

• Address: 4720-B Mission Gorge Place San Diego, CA 92120
• Website: http://opendoorglobal.org/
• Phone: (619) 265-1889
• Email: opendoorfwc@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenDoorFWC/

Image Credit:
Willie Johnson
Ricardo Mompremier

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